The Lynchburg Police Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community through a spirit of service. We are an effective, skilled, and progressive organization made up of men and women who live out our mission of partnering with our community and protecting our citizens, while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons.

Our officers and professional staff possess the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, enabling them to prevent crime, enforce our laws, work as community problem-solvers, and serve as examples to our residents. 

Every day, I am proud to work with such people who make a significant, positive difference in our
community. The LPD has a proud history going back to 1805. Today, we strive to remain at the forefront of modern policing practices in honor of this proud tradition and the trust placed in us by the community.

In November, 1989, the department became the 124th law enforcement agency in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. We have been reaccredited eight times since then as we continue to maintain these internationally-recognized high standards.

We demonstrate our mission best by working cooperatively with other governmental agencies, businesses, the faith community, and all citizens. We do not just react to incidents of crime or disorder. We continue to nurture our meaningful, working partnerships with others in the community to make it a safe place for everyone to live, work, and play. We call this “Community Policing.” 

Community Policing is a philosophy and an organizational strategy that promotes a new partnership between citizens and their police. It is based on the premise that both police and the citizens must work together to identify, prioritize, and solve community concerns. We must be creative and innovative as we work with neighborhoods to reduce and prevent crime, disorder, and fear. We will be relentless in our efforts to identify and arrest criminals, while also staying committed to helping our citizens develop long-term solutions to our community problems.

The Lynchburg Police Department and concerned, involved citizens are making a difference. We will continue to build on these positive relationships and accomplishments. This is achieved through our focus on accountability, buy-in, and collaboration within both the department and the community. We are your partners and your protectors. We are, and will always be, YOUR police department.

Ryan M. Zuidema

Chief of Police